HARLINGEN — Harlingen High’s Kristopher Cantu started swimming to stay in shape after freshman football at Weslaco High.
The Cardinals athlete took a liking to the sport and became one of the best 50- and 100-yard freestyle swimmers in the Rio Grande Valley, and was a Class 6A Region VIII qualifier.
Cantu signed with McMurry University in Abilene to continue his swimming career Wednesday at Harlingen High School.
The senior hopes his signing helps inspire other swimmers to continue to be better at the sport as well as to try and earn a scholarship for it.
“Swimming is a very hard sport,” Cantu said. “Not everyone can swim, it takes a long time to learn how to swim — not just learn, but get faster at swimming. It is a very tasking sport on your entire body. It is fun, but not fun on your body. I just want my friends and teammates to get recognized for what they do.”
Cantu is the first Harlingen High swim signing in more than 20 years, head swimming coach Daniel Euresti said.
“I think everyone is super excited,” Cantu said. “Everybody around the swimming community in Harlingen is really excited.”
McMurry University is a NCAA Division III program that competes in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Cantu is ready to swim in whatever event he is needed in while in Abilene, he said.
Cantu won gold in the 50- and 100- freestyle at the District 32-6A championships in January. Cantu had a solid day in the pool at the regional meet against stiff competition with the addition of San Antonio schools to the region this year. The senior finished sixth in the 50 and and 10th in the 100.
Cantu plans to study history with hopes of becoming a history teacher and a coach in the future.